Zhengzhou Metro line-7 station’s interior was designed by MASK Architects in collaboration with Shenzhen-based Jiang & Associates Design (J&A). The line-7 rail transit serves as a significant transportation corridor for the north-south development axis of Zhengzhou, including 20 stops and 11 transfer stations. The way commuters engage with the space and feel within the area on their daily trips inspired the architects. Hence, the space was created in a way that people would feel as though they have entered a new friendly, elegant, light, and warm world; a social place in which they can interact with the environment and the surroundings in ways they have never experienced before in this type of setting. The fact that the daily commute is almost an unconscious journey that might be tedious and uninteresting at times is the reason for such a demand. You can join the ‘Computational Design: NEXT 8.0‘ conference and hear more from MASK Architects about their projects.
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The central concept of the Zhengzhou Metro is flower-like structures and modules that are placed in any order or arrangement and can be joined or disconnected. With this expandable and mobile modular system, the architects can develop alternative approaches to modify the perspective.
The whole environment was altered by the flower-like installations as extensions to the structures of the existing metro station. The architects intended to turn the heavy industrial metro machinery into a natural, vibrant, and elegant space by connecting the outdoor world to the interior of the metro station. The idea was to continue the flow from outside to inside by an impression from Nanhuan Park; the park that displays the city’s roses and flowers and draws visitors to photograph the beautiful natural terrain and environment.
The petals of the flowers form a canopy, with stunning light installations pulsing throughout the canopy and its leaves, interacting with light, music, and movement. The designers integrated 3D volume to create lovely bespoke petals and leaf-forms transparently, giving the commuters a fresh perspective while passing beneath the flowers. Transparency is achieved through mesh materials which allow light to reflect and be seen from different perspectives. The lighting sequences and patterns across the ceiling space create various streaming and sparkling effects that encourage people’s imaginations to wander and think freely, almost like an exhibition. Therefore, the metro station will be transformed into a more natural, thriving, and relaxing area by removing the monotonous mechanical components.
To facilitate the navigation of commuters to their stations, flooring is crucial. The station is divided into two floors, one for arrivals and one for departures. Commuters will be directed throughout the metro station by patterns on each floor.
The station is currently under development and will be ready for use in 2023.
Project Details
Architecture Design Firm: MASK Architects, Italy
Joint Partner Company: Jiang & Associates Design (J&A), China
Lead Architects and Designers: Öznur Pınar ÇER, Danilo PETTA
Design Team: Öznur Pınar ÇER, Derya GENÇ, Danilo PETTA
Visualizations & Animation Studio: Derya GENÇ, GENC Design Studio
Photographs: are courtesy of MASK Architects
